Autosled.



No. 766,672. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904 C. CRISMAN.

AUTOSLED.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1904.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N---lx l l 'l 'ummm HEEIIIF UNITED STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

CHARLES CRISMAN, OF VATERVILLE, MAINE.

AUTOSLED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,672, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed March 3l, 1904. Serial No. 200,986. (No model.)

To all 'whort it may concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES CRIsMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Tater- Ville, in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have invented new and useful Improvements in Autosleds, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention I'elates to new and useful improvements in propelling' mechanism forsleds and like vehicles; and its object is to provide means whereby the vehicle can be propelled over ice or snow by any suitable motor which may be placed thereon.

r1`he invention consists of transversely-extending' shafts which are supported from bellcrank levers having' means for moving' them upon their fulcrums. Secured to the ends of each of the shafts are sprocket-wheels, and arranged on these wheels and close to each of the runners of the sled are chains having' projections adapted to engage the ice or snow. Means are provided for transmitting' rotary motion from a suitable motor to one of the shafts.

The invention also consists of the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter, more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, showing' the preferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the running-gear of my improved sled, portions of some of the cross-beams thereof being' removed; and Fig'. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1.

Referring to the ligures by numerals of reference, 1 is the body of the sled, and the same is supported by springs 2 and 3 upon trucks 4 and 5, respectively. The truckis so connected to the body as to be readily swung laterally, so as to g'uide the sled, whereas the truck is incapable of lateral movement independently of the body. Extending' long'itudinally of the centerof truck 5 is a beam 6, to which are fulcrumed bell-crank levers 7, and these levers are connected by a I'od 8, which is connected to one end of a lever 9 by means of a link 10. This lever is fulcrumed Depending' from each bell-crank lever 7 is a link 12, and these links are connected to transversely-extending shafts 13 and 14, which are arranged adjacent the I'ear and front ends of truck 5. The end portions of the shaft 14 are supported by rods 15, which are pivoted to the body 1 adjacent springs 3, and secured to the ends of the shafts 13 and 14 are sprocket-wheels 16, the peripheries of which normally overlap the runners of the truck 5. These sprocketwheels are arrang'ed close to the inner faces of the runners and have chains 17 mounted on them, and projecting' outwardly from the chains are prongs 18, adapted to engage the ice or snow. A small sprocket-wheel 19 is connected to the central portion of shaft 14 and is adapted to be rotated by a chain 20, extending' from a suitable motor 21 upon the body 1.

lVhen it is desired to propel the sled, motion' is transmitted to sprocket 19 from motor 21, and the shaft 11 and sprocket 16 will thus be rotated and will cause the chains 17 to rotate the I'ear sprocket 16 and the shaft 13. By swinging the lever 9 in one direction the bellcrank lever 7 will press the shafts 13 and 14 downward, and thus bring' the moving' chain 17 below the working faces of the runners to truck 5, and the projections 18 will thus be caused to engage the snow or ice and the sled will be moved forward. lVhen it is desired to stop the sled, the lever 9 is swung' in such a direction as to cause the bell-crank levers 7 to raise the shafts 13 and 1-1. 1t will be seen that this mechanism is extremely simple in construction and can be readily attached to a sled and easily manipulated.

' 1n the foreg'oing description I have shown the preferred form of my'invention; but l do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing' from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantag'es thereof, and l therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

H aving thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. 1n adevice of the character described, the combination with a truck having' a body supported thereon, of transversely extending shafts, sprockets thereon, chains mounted upon the sprockets and parallel with the sides of the truck, projections upon the chains, bell-V,

bell-crank levers lpivoted to the truck, links connecting the levers with the shafts, an operating-lever, a rigid connection between the bell-crank levers, a link connecting said levers with the operating-lever, brace-rods pivoted to the body and engaging one of the shafts, and means for rotating the shafts.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES CRISMAN.

Witnesses:

S. S. BROWN, EDW. C. RICE. 

